Upon learning
of her difficulty and the unfortunate circumstances of her beloved pet’s
untimely death, the destruction of evidence, and her inability to arrive at
satisfactory information and results, we suggested that she use appropriate
legal channels to resolve the issue and assist other citizens so that a similar
accident and pain would not reoccur.

Negligent death of my domestic pet Grace (6 and a half
year old dog (P1,P2,P3,P4).

Police destruction of relevant evidence (P5)

Past and future public posting of appropriate warning
signs (P6,P7,P8)

Dangerous placement of animal bait/lures on private (P19)
land in close proximity to provincial park (P7,P17,P20)

Non-accountability (P18) of various government agencies
for the above negligence

On
or about November 12, 2002 in Park regional des Pays-d'en-Haut, la portion
du parc lineaire "le Petit Train du Nord". la portion du "Corridor
aerobique", my domestic pet Grace, a family member for 6 years, was
killed by a hunter's trap. This negligent death occurred approximately 15-20
yards from the Aerobic Corridor (unofficial police estimate).

Where negligent death
occurred (P9)
5 kilometers west, on route 364, from Morin
Heights. Make the first and only left turn, and drive 1/2 kilometer. Park
at the side of the small bridge, walk 20 feet up the inclined path, turn
right and walk along the trail for 9/10¹s of a kilometer (as measured on Constable
Phillip Zemaitis¹s (see below) police vehicle odometer.

We had been visiting
this Aerobic Corridor since the summer of 1996. In the specific area that
we habitually visited there were no signs concerning pets and their access
to the Corridor (P6). Warning signs were only added after Grace (my domestic
pet) was killed through negligence (P7).

No signs were posted
then, or are presently posted, regarding any dangers posed by trappers/hunters
and their use of public and/or private land (P6,P7,P8).

No signs were posted
advising of the personal legal rights of trappers/hunters to place lethal
(P16) and deadly traps/lures close to or on public and/or private land (P6,P7,P8).

Many of these antiquated
laws no longer serve their original purpose (P16,P17), and have never been
re-examined in light of present-day needs.

The above legal negligence
directly caused the death of a beloved family pet, Grace. The lack of appropriate
legal warning also caused very difficult familial emotional distress.

When a file was opened
(373-021116-006) with the Surete du Quebec, Game Warden Pierre Thivierge
was unable to examine the evidence (P13,P14,P15) because the police had destroyed
it prior to the beginning of his inquiry with me, Alana Hoffer, on the 27th
of December 2002. The date for this meeting had been the 27th of December,
2002 at the site of the bait box (P10,P11,P12 P13,P14,P15). The date for
this meeting had been set between Game Warden Thivierge and myself, approximately
two weeks prior, at the request of Game Warden Claude Bourque).

I only discovered
that the evidence had been destroyed by the Surete du Quebec, on or about
three weeks after my meeting with him (Pierre Thivierge) on Dec 27th, 2002.
He (Thivierge) had said he would call me soon with a report of his investigations.
When I didn¹t hear from him, I called him approximately three weeks
later, on or about January 20th, 2003. He was absent, but I spoke with Claude
Bourque.. Bourque told me that the trap had already been destroyed by the
time Pierre Thivierge had gone to investigate (prior to the 27th of December,
2002). Bourque agreed with me, that the destruction of the trap(evidence)
was not the usual course of action.

It also caused me
some concern that Game Warden Pierre Thivierge (although sympathetic) had
not called to inform me that his investigation had been summarily terminated
by the curious police action of premature destruction of evidence.

I request the following:

An answer to and copies of all reports concerning the
destruction of the evidence, plus everything related to this dossier.

That the appropriate government agency place extensive
and adequate legal signage for the protection of citizens (P6,P7,P8,P10,P11).

Any and all traps/lures etc be by legal obligation placed
at a much greater distance from public areas.

Hunters/trappers be legally obliged to inform
private and public land owners of locations of traps and bait boxes.

Hunter/trappers be legally obliged to remove any and
all bait boxes and trap in the immediate area of ³Corridor Aerobique².

A commitment by the Minister of Justice and other involved
ministries and jurisdictions to ensure this will not ever happen to others.

That the government set up a formal method of responsibility
and liability in this and other related areas.

That the government set up a legal dog run in honour
of domestic family pets

I trust
that my letter will clearly show both my concern for the safety of domestic
animals and give concrete methods to insure future safety and to assist others
in the positive enjoyment of the Aerobic Corridor

I remain,

Yours,

Alana Hoffer
Alana Hoffer c/o Ted Wright
5 Sept 2003 – 29 Sept 2003.

NB - October
25 is the date that trappers are permitted to place traps. This date is quickly
approaching, the bait box has not been removed because according to law, there
is nothing illegal about this bait box. The fact that it remains in place gives
the trapper permission to reactivate it. I would not want this to happen to
others. Your prompt attention is much appreciated.